Their greater tolerance for disease, harsh work and climate, and pain allegedly “arose from their barbarism and savagery, which Europeans constantly likened to that of animals.” Therefore, racism and biology became “mutually reinforcing,” albeit according to a double standard: where blacks excelled in strength, endurance, and health, whites attributed it to a closer kinship with animals than humans. Where blacks suffered more greatly, however, it confirmed their inherent deficiency, filthiness, laziness, neglect of their children, etc.
